Welcome To New York (Steve Rogers AU) 18+

Prologue

Now

New York.

A place that I know well enough by now. From the busy streets to the fanciest of stores. Back when I first came here everything surprised me. But now after working with the wealthy for ten years, nothing raises an eyebrow anymore.

Bottom line is, if the rich have got the money? They won't bat an eyelid at the price.

"Can I come in too?" Morgan, the child who I currently nanny for, asks as she sits in the back of the car next to me.

I look to Happy, who is giving me the look through the rear view. Not in his pay grade.

"You're gonna have to, but don't touch anything ok? Keep close to me". I warn her. I know that she will, but I do feel the need to remind her. Besides, having her there will stop the impressing anxiety attack that I have every time I set foot in this particular department store. I swear that Mr Stark just loves to test my limits, but lately his purchases from Patriots is becoming more often. Part of me wonder whether he does it because he knows of my history with the family who own it - or whether he's trying to play some kind of fucked up cupid in the hopes that I'll bump into him again.

Him.

It's all he's been known to me as for the last ten years. You're probably wondering just who he exactly is. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to guess.

'Him', is the current CEO of Patriots. One of the largest and probably the oldest department stores in New York. Just as he was destined to be when I met him. Except back then I called him college cutie.

College cutie was a twenty one year old Harvard student, back home for the summer before his final year would see him graduate with a business degree and some other fancy bullshit that would put him more on the path of capability in securing his place as the next owner of Patriots.

College cutie was my summer secret.

He was really the first  serious love of mine. Rich I know considering it was only for a short time. But we connected.

He was the guy who shattered my heart though, and since I walked out of the doors of their penthouse in the Upper East Side, I made a mental note to try and avoid Patriots if I could.

A bit hard considering I've been a nanny for only those who shop there and other places. People like the Starks, who I'm currently employed by now.

The car rolls to a stop outside of the store and I get out, Morgan sliding out after me and taking my hand. "We need to be quick". I tell her.

She nods and taking a deep breath of encouragement, I stride with her towards the doors and walk through - the doorman greeting me as I do. He knows me by now. He knows everyone who comes through the brass handled doors. Either side are window displays showing off the latest in fashion. Models dressed for the season, expensive handbags and more on them.

I'm not here for that. I'm here for perfume that Tony has asked me to pick up so he can surprise Pepper with it tonight. They're heading out to dinner for their wedding anniversary and so Morgan will probably be demanding a cheeseburger, which I'm only too happy to give her if it means a night off from cooking.

Perfume is situated on the second floor, and we make for the lift, someone yelling for us to hold it open. A young woman breezing in before the doors slide shut. "Which floor are you going to?" I ask.

"Second please".

I've already pushed it anyway and now we stand in silence as I note she's just a teenager, possibly at least eighteen of I guess correctly.

"I like your dress". Morgan now tells her as she now looks at the girl and smiles.

The girl looks at her. "Thanks kid, you here with your mom?" She then looks to me and her face suddenly changes.

"Oh my god...Nanny Lu?"

I hate my life.

I shake my head as the doors thankfully slide open and allow me out. "Sorry, you have the wrong person". I call and drag Morgan out, hoping to lose the ghost of summers past in the sea of many counters and aisles that the floor has to offer. Shoes and accessories are up here too.

"Who was that?" Morgan frowns as I try to breathe.

"No one Morg - c'mon, we really need to get this thing for your mom and get outta here". I feel like I'm about to have a panic attack, but for the sake of Morgan, I need to keep calm and act like nothing's wrong.

Morgan doesn't let the subject drop. "She called you Nanny Lu?"

I don't answer her and instead make for the counter I need, then talking to the sales girl behind it in the hopes that they've already gift wrapped Tony's present and will just pass it over.

They have.

I take the bag gratefully and then steer Morgan towards the direction of the elevators, however she decides now is the time to play catch and darts off. "Morgan!" I yell, now attracting the disapproving looks of upper class women who came to simply shop in peace.

I go after her hurriedly, walking quickly to try and catch up to her. "Morgan! Come here now!" I hiss.

She just grins and then goes the other way. No ice cream for her tonight.

As I go through into the next section where the shoes are, I hear an "oomf!" Before wincing. Great. She's run straight into a shopper.

"I'm so sorry!" I say as I now round the corner where I heard the noise and stop dead, seeing Morgan pouting her apology to a well dressed man. His hair and beard are neatly trimmed. Suit of navy and clearly something shit like Gucci or whatever.

He now looks to me and like the girl in the elevator, his face falls. "Lulu..."

I swallow, knowing that one day this was bound to happen. It was inevitable. It's his store after all.

Him.

"Hello Steve".